EVIL DEAD RISE(S) Again in 4K...Now with Bells & Whistles

EVIL DEAD RISE Limited Edition (4K UHD)

2023 / 96 min

Arrow Video

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

The second film of the rebooted franchise (with a third on the way), Evil Dead Rise was released on 4K by Warner Brothers not even three years ago. I don’t know if Arrow Video’s version is a rerelease of the exact same transfer or if they did another one on their own. But I guess it doesn’t matter since they look and sound exactly the same. However, WB’s version was essentially a bare bones release, with no bonus features (unless you count the digital code).

Conversely, this Limited Edition from Arrow is loaded with substantial supplemental material (most of it brand new) and ample incentive for Evil Dead and 4K fans to purchase it again, who won’t be disappointed. And if one’s thinking of upgrading to 4K, unless price is an issue, this one is definitely the better choice. Those bonus features are listed below.

As for the movie itself…though stylish and atmospheric, Evil Dead Rise isn’t quite as ambitious as Fede Alvarez’ stellar 2013 remake, if only because writer-director Lee Cronin is content to tell the same story in a different setting. Other than taking place in a crumbling urban apartment building, it’s business as usual...which ain’t necessarily a bad thing. Sudden change isn’t always welcome in horror, especially regarding a franchise with such an awesomely simple concept to begin with: Book gets found, book gets read, people get possessed. 

This time the book is found by a teenager along with a couple of dusty old vinyl records. Both were stashed there in 1923 by a priest who was dumb enough to record himself reading aloud from the book. Naturally, the kid plays the record. Of course, you know the rest…

The floor is lava. 

…or maybe you don’t, but fear not. As with every other film in the franchise, no previous experience is required. Evil Dead Rise tells a stand-alone story that never operates on the assumption the audience has seen the other films. It quickly establishes - or reestablishes - its premise before the blood & body parts fly. In that respect, this might be considered more of a spin-off of Alvarez’ Evil Dead than a traditional sequel (maybe even another remake). 

Still, longtime fans will certainly appreciate the numerous references and Easter Eggs which pay homage to Raimi’s films - some obvious, others subtle - including the classic eyeball gag from Evil Dead II. Speaking of which, one aspect where Evil Dead Rise definitely equals its predecessor is the abundance of gruesome, gonzo violence, which is impressive and accomplished with good ol’ fashioned practical effects.

Elsewhere, the characters are mostly perfunctory, but the overall performances are pretty good, particularly Alyssa Sutherland as bedeviled mother Ellie. Though the familiar story precludes any real surprises, Evil Dead Rise is a nasty good time, with plenty of unnerving scenes, a few effective jump scares and enough blood to fill a swimming pool. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

NOTE: Free Kittens Movie Guide was provided with a promo disc for review purposes. Physical supplemental material included with the final product (booklets, artwork, inserts, etc) were not available for review.

INTERVIEWS - Come Get Some is an interview with actor Lily Sullivan; Mommy Deadite is an interview with actor Alyssa Sutherland; The Deadite's Daughter is an interview with actor Gabrielle Echols; The Levitating Dead is an interview with actor Anna Maree Thomas; Conjuring Deadites features make-up effects artist Luke Polti; Chopping Up Deadites is an interview with editor Bryan Shaw; Sonic Possessions is the an interview with sound designer Peter Albrechtsen; Music to Swallow Your Soul is an interview with composer Steven McKeon.

FEATURETTES - Raising a New Evil Dead is a 7-minute featurette from 2023; Behind the Scenes was shot on-set by writer-director Lee Cronin.

“GHOST TRAIN” - A 16 minute short by Lee Cronin, filmed in 2013.

CONCEPT ART & STORYBOARD GALLERIES

TRAILER & TV SPOTS